Liverpool Plan Swoop for Tottenham Star – Report

Liverpool have stepped up interest in Tottenham left-back Danny Rose. The Mail believes Brendan Rodgers wants the 22-year-old defender badly, having lost out last season. Rose was on loan to Sunderland this season and his eye-catching performances have led to attention from both Anfield and Black Cats' boss Paolo di Canio, who wants to make the signing permanent.

It remains to be seen if Spurs, whom the Mirror believes are considering the sale of first team left-back Benoit Assou-Ekotto, will turn down interest in their player to give him a first team chance for the next campaign.

In any case, Rodgers knows that any move for Rose will run into financial problems. The Reds are believed to have a limited transfer budget of £20m and with a portion already reserved to find Jamie Carragher's replacement, the former Swansea City manager may have to sell before he can buy.

The Mail expects striker Andy Carroll, winger Stewart Downing and left-back Jose Enrique to be among the players to leave in the summer, with goalkeeper Pepe Reina also a possible departure. According to the Telegraph, Spanish giants Barcelona are known to be interested in the Madrid-born goalkeeper, given they will lose present No 1 Victor Valdes either now or next season.

Former Newcastle United forward Carroll has had a difficult time since transferring to Merseyside but seems to have recovered his touch after being loaned to West Ham United. Sam Allardyce has admitted he would like to retain the England international's services and the BBC believes negotiations have opened.

Rodgers on Jamie Carragher

Meanwhile, Rodgers has confessed that replacing the retired Jamie Carragher will be difficult. The 35-year-old played his last game for the club on Sunday, in a 1-0 win over QPR.

"I don't think there are many about like that... [but] you have to find different ways. All great players, their time comes to an end. We've seen it here. You look at Ian Rush... he went away and they brought in John Barnes and Peter Beardsley. We need to find a good one now... and it certainly won't be easy," Rodgers admitted.